Labour should focus on the 'third age' with a pledge that in future, turning 60 will mark a new beginning, rather than the beginning of the end. Changes in life expectancy mean that at 60, millions of people will still have 20 or 30 years ahead, many of them vigorous. They will be needed as workers and carers, as well as needing to be cared for themselves. But too often, "the elderly" are written off by society. Labour should finally eliminate age discrimination, remove the mandatory retirement age of 65 and encourage companies to employ older workers, including through flexible and part-time working schemes.

It should introduce a simple pensions saving scheme and bring in a "social insurance" scheme for future social care. It should also introduce an equity release scheme to enable elderly people to stay in their own homes. Inside the NHS Labour should offer a new "case manager" system to ensure co-ordination between all the different agencies who are in touch with the elderly.

In these six ways, Labour can pledge a culture change to give the over-60s a safer, happier and more secure life.